]]>Pool Building verses Renovating. Which is best for you?http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/pool-building-verses-renovating-best/
Thu, 31 Aug 2017 06:37:37 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4766 Podcast Transcript Renovating or Building a pool? Here are things that will help you decide what suits you best. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast with your hosts, Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian: Hey everybody. Welcome to Pool Doctor […]

Podcast Transcript

Renovating or Building a pool? Here are things that will help you decide what suits you best.

Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast with your hosts, Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian.

Elizabeth Varian: Hey everybody. Welcome to Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches podcast. We’ve got Holly in a very, very busy office over there at Pool Doctor today.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. It is. Hello guys.

Elizabeth Varian: It’s summertime, and you guys are hopping. We’ve got back to school happening, and you guys are building out pools, cleaning and maintaining them. And sounds like we’ve got meetings going in the background, so we’ll kind of speak clearly so everybody can hear us. Today we’re gonna talk about building new or renovating. do one versus the other, and let’s just kind of jump right in and ask, “Why would someone choose to build and why would someone choose to renovate?”

Holly Colasurdo: A good reason is, if you choose to build, is definitely if you buy a home, especially if it doesn’t have a pool and you want to build a pool, if it has an old pool, and you want a different design. Those are pretty big deals. Renovating is a different story. Around every 20 years or so, most in-ground pools are in need of some type of renovation, part face life, part modernization, especially in a Florida climate. Pretty typical and pretty common. Those are the big differences. Some common renovation, like deck resurfacing, even think coping replacement, maybe an interior they want different. There’s so many options with interior surfaces these days or addition of water features, really neat waterfalls or bubblers. Those are fun.

You might want to remove an old slide if you have a slide, or you might want to add a water slide or maybe add a spa or convert just to saltwater. There are a lot of different things that come into play when you’re renovating. You just want to put your own style on it, especially if you buy a home that already has a pool. Most people do like to change it up a bit without having to build new. And just a little bit can go a long way. So sooner or later every pool, especially if you’re renovating, needs some major work done whether practical or cosmetic.

Elizabeth Varian: So then it basically comes down to now, obviously, if you buy a house and it doesn’t have anything in the backyard and you want a pool, that’s when you’re gonna build. I mean, that’s a given, and they can listen to our podcast on fiberglass versus concrete.

Holly Colasurdo: Right.

Elizabeth Varian: But if they have an existing pool, they have the options of either renovation or just, hey, start from scratch, because you want a modern pool and they have a kidney pool.

Holly Colasurdo: Right.

Elizabeth Varian: That makes total sense. And there are so many different features that can be added these days that maybe weren’t around when the original pool was built when you buy the house.

Holly Colasurdo: Oh yes. Oh yes.

Elizabeth Varian: So you can make it your literal backyard oasis, make it fun for kids or parties. So that makes total sense in really figuring out what your needs and wants are before you choose to build, scrap it all, and start from scratch versus just adding some things here and there. There’s gotta be major cost difference. I would assume renovation and even build, it even depends on all the add-ons and features you want, but what are some cost differences that we’re gonna look at with a build versus a renovation?

Elizabeth Varian: That’s a good way to visualize what the costs are gonna be.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. Because that’s so simple. Major changes can cost as much as a brand new pool or even more. But kind of along the same lines is that it just depends on what you want. If you want to renovate it, it just depends on what you want. Like you said, you have so many options these days you can really go in and change an old pool and it end up costing more than making a brand new pool.

Elizabeth Varian: It’s like shopping. Yeah, you walk into the mall and you can buy as many clothes as your credit card will allow.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Right. Oh yeah.

Elizabeth Varian: And new pools, we did discuss the cost again with the concrete versus fiberglass, and that podcast is available on your website.

Holly Colasurdo: Like you said when you go into a store and you’ve maxed out your card then you open up the other one that saves you 15% or more because you need more credit.

Elizabeth Varian: Spoken like true shopping women.

Holly Colasurdo: “Wait. I want that bubbler. I’m gonna borrow some money from my family. I want that bubbler in my pool.”

Elizabeth Varian: When I walk into the Pool Doctor offices, you guys have this amazing wall set up where you can literally see all your tile options. You can see your coping options, and I really can see that renovation can really take on a whole new mindset of its own in the regards of the design it’s so unlimited. And all the features with lighting and water. I love the beach feature that I see now that you guys are building out a lot of … Where if I don’t want to actually go for a swim but I want to sit in the water on my lounge chair with the umbrella up and not get burnt . I just think those are fantastic.

Holly Colasurdo: Those sun shelves are great.

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah.

Holly Colasurdo: Especially your pets. If you have pets, they love that little area, because most dogs, they don’t want to get in the water.

Elizabeth Varian: They don’t have to , but then they can go on the little shelf area and it’s perfectly fine. So a renovation, it is something to consider if you want to bring the pool to current options, if you will.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Right.

Elizabeth Varian: That kind of brings into mind that that means there’s gotta be a lot of planning involved if I’m either a or building. So what do I have to keep in mind for what type of planning has to go into this?

Holly Colasurdo: You definitely need a plan before you do anything. The first thing you should do is build a budget. What is your budget?

Elizabeth Varian: So don’t keep maxing out those credit cards.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. No. That’s important. That’s important. Do you have a $10,000 budget? Do you have a $20,000 budget? Do you have a $100,000 budget? It just depends on what you want. Pictures. Pictures are so important. Pick out what you like, whether you go to Houzz or whether you find a picture in a magazine, whether you have a friend who has a pool that you love. Maybe you like the tile but not the interior surface. Take a picture of the tile. That’s important. Then you need to calculate your costs. Look and kind of check out what does it cost for this tile. We have that here at the office. We have tiles that range on the lower spectrum to very, very expensive tile. And then you have to choose a contractor. So, so important. I can’t reiterate that enough. Make sure you have, are you using a company that has a licensed contractor?

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah. Make sure they’re legitimate.

Holly Colasurdo: Those are four things that you know you need to plan for: Budget, pictures, calculate your costs, and then choose a contractor. And then they should be able to help you out from there. That’s their job.

Elizabeth Varian: Sit down with them and then start pulling it all together. Because, like I said, when I walk in your offices, it’s amazing to see all the options. You may see various things that you like in magazines and stuff, but you guys have other things, then, you can go, “Oh, you like this. You might like these other options as well.”

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Right.

Elizabeth Varian: So definitely plan to take that initial planning stage seriously. Don’t just say, “Oh, put whatever together.” Your money is valuable, and you want something that you’re gonna like for a long time. For some reason if I can’t afford a renovation or definitely a new pool build maybe out of my budget, now, I know for pool builds you guys have a connection with getting financed for renovations and stuff. Sometimes you want a renovation because you want to save on your electricity or other areas, like you said, it up a little bit. What can I do to the pool if I’m just looking for saving money?

Holly Colasurdo: And that’s pretty common. That’s very, very common and very understandable. It’s small steps that you probably should take. Equipment is so important. It’s like the heart is to the body. To upgrade your equipment, if it’s old it’s gonna be shocking, because it’s not inexpensive, but it is so important to the pool, especially to save money on utilities. That’s where it comes in. It’s so important. You need a good motor, especially in Florida. I mean, everything here just goes so quickly because of our weather and our winds and our rainy season, our filters. That is so important, just to upgrade the equipment. It might not be a small amount of money, but it’s an affordable step. Again, it’s a credit card thing.

It’s enough to put on a credit card. That’s important. That should be the first thing that someone should do, especially if they bought a new home and the pool’s great, there aren’t any leaks, but yet something’s not right. It’s always that it’s the equipment. What I think is important is change out your traditional pool lights. A lot of people don’t know this. Change them out and replace them with LED. Do you know that one pool light uses the same energy as 20 LED lights? A lot of people don’t know that.

Elizabeth Varian: Really?

Holly Colasurdo: Yep. Change out your LED lights. Change over from a chemical system with built in automation with a variable speed motor. All that stuff is so important, and you will definitely see a change in your electric bill. You’ll be like, “Did they not calculate it right this month?” Once you get all that great new equipment, they just make them so much more efficient these days. Look at it. Study it. Contact us. We can do it. They’re so much more efficient your electric bill will be like, “What?” This is really, really neat. It’s important, and it really adds up in the long run.

Elizabeth Varian: And that definitely saves a considerable amount of money over a whole new pool or a renovation.

Holly Colasurdo: Oh, it does.

Elizabeth Varian: If all you’re doing is trying to save some money. That’s fantastic.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. I mean, educating customers is just so important for what we do as a business. Just because you move into a home that has a pool or you might think of owning a pool and you’ve never owned one before, really study what it takes to have a hole in the ground with water. I mean, like I said, we’re not putting them , but it is important to be educated about everything that your pool is and does. Equipment, the people you use, it’s just so important for that hole in the ground with the water to last you a good long time.

Elizabeth Varian: That’s fantastic. This is just, I never would have never have thought of just changing the lights out. The equipment-

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. Simple, tiny things.

Elizabeth Varian: … That definitely makes sense. If I think about if my car if I keep it maintained and running well and the oil and everything checked and the tires at the right level that … I don’t buy keep buying as much gas. It lasts longer. You don’t always think about that with a pool sitting in the backyard.

Holly Colasurdo: Right.

Elizabeth Varian: So this is wonderful. I hope anyone listening, if you’re looking, like we said, you want to be shopping in the mall and you want to add all these new features to your pool, make it more fun, more party ready, more kid friendly, definitely look at renovations. If you bought a house where it’s kidney pool, but you really like more modern style, you want to actually change out the whole shape of the pool, then a pool build is something to consider. But if you’re just trying to save money, maybe give Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches a call and say, “Hey, can you give us a consultation for how to save money, and it’s possibly a credit card charge of fixing equipment or changing out light bulbs.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Right. On the end note here, I’m gonna always let everybody know it’s always good to get at least three bids just so you can get a variation. And always go with who you’re most comfortable with. Nobody’s really better than anybody out there. I mean, some might be, but get at least three bids, hire a licensed contractor, don’t always go with the lowest bid, maybe middle of the road is better. And remember when you’re thinking about renovating, think ahead, make smart plans, save your money. Knowing that that renovation, whether you’re looking forward to it or not is inevitable. That’s important.

Elizabeth Varian: You don’t want to be taken by someone you can’t find when they disappear. So wonderful. Well, thank you so much for your time today. This was very informative. Every time we talk I learn something new.

Holly Colasurdo: Isn’t that funny? I love that about the light bulb. Who really knows that? Who really knows that?

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah. You don’t think about that. I mean, in your house you do. But I just never thought about it with a pool.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah.

Elizabeth Varian: Everybody, stay tuned for our next podcast, and if you do have a pool build or renovation or want to get a consultation for saving money, give Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches a call and check us out on the web at PoolsPalmBeaches.com, and until next time, thank you very much, Holly.

Holly Colasurdo: You’re welcome. Thanks guys.

Elizabeth Varian: Have a great day.

Thank you for listening to our monthly podcast. Be sure to contact Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches for your South Florida pool needs.

]]> Podcast Transcript Renovating or Building a pool? Here are things that will help you decide what suits you best. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast with your hosts, Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Podcast Transcript Renovating or Building a pool? Here are things that will help you decide what suits you best. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast with your hosts, Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian: Hey everybody. Welcome to Pool Doctor […]Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches13:595 Warning Signs You Need a Pool Pump Repairhttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/5-warning-signs-need-pool-pump-repair/
Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:32:48 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4763 Video Transcript 5 Warning Signs You Need a Pool Pump Repair A pool pump keeps your pool water clean, clear, safe and healthy. 1. Low Filter Pressure? If it’s low on continual basis, impeller may have a problem. 2. Leaking Water? Spraying water from pump housing may […]

]]>4 Reasons you Should Replace Your Old Pool Heaterhttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/4-reasons-replace-old-pool-heater/
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:00:56 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4839When you have had your backyard swimming pool for many years, it is easy to forget or even ignore the aging pool equipment – that is, until something stops working. However, some things should be replaced before they quit on you. One such pool element is the […]

]]>When you have had your backyard swimming pool for many years, it is easy to forget or even ignore the aging pool equipment – that is, until something stops working. However, some things should be replaced before they quit on you.

One such pool element is the pool heater. There are four important reasons why you should have your West Palm Beach pool service replace your pool heater now:

1. Efficiency

With advancements in pool heater technology, many of the new heaters are much more efficient and reliable than their older counterparts.

Some new electric heaters are designed to perform very well at the 85 percent efficient limit, so that they do not condensate. This condensation combines with the byproducts of combustion, which makes the condensation very acidic. The acid corrodes the heat exchanger, which restricts the elimination of exhaust gases. Eventually, this can cause a complete failure of your heater.

Improved flow management through the heater is another feature of some new heaters, which makes it less restrictive to water being circulated by the pump. These heaters only allow 20 to 25 percent of circulating water to go through the heater with the remainder bypassing it. These heaters allow you to decrease your pump by one size, since you do not have a pressure drop across the heater.

2. Saves Energy.

Obviously, with a more efficient pool heater like the ones mentioned above, some residential pool owners have seen a savings of up to 20 to 30 percent on their utility bills. This can save you hundreds of dollars annually, even thousands over several years of use.

3. Helps the Environment.

Heaters with inlet air assist fans give more efficient fuel consumption while reducing the amount of pollutants and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions released into the environment.

The fan creates a very precise air to fuel mixture for combustion that is much more efficient. Nitrogen Oxides are a group of poisonous and highly reactive gases that affect our air quality. They are created when fuel is burned at high temperatures.

With the greater focus on our environment today, these types of pool heaters are preferable to others.

4. Convenience

Of course, the reliability of an older pool heater is iffy:

The chance of failure and need for repairs is much greater and happens more frequently.

Your family is not without the pool while you wait for repairs to be scheduled and completed.

]]>What a Pool Building Specialist Says About Pool Designhttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/pool-building-specialist-says-pool-design/
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:00:35 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4836Though a pool designer who works for the Pool Building Specialist will actually create the pool design, there are six considerations of which you should be aware. These tips should help you to assist the designer in creating the best pool design for you and your family. […]

]]>Though a pool designer who works for the Pool Building Specialist will actually create the pool design, there are six considerations of which you should be aware. These tips should help you to assist the designer in creating the best pool design for you and your family.

Can you do everything you want? Your available space will dictate what you can and cannot do with your pool design. The pool designer will help you consider not just your design desires, but also what you wish to do in the entire space – not just the pool.

Design inspiration. Much of a pool designer’s inspiration will come from you, as well as the current style and décor of your home. It could be an extension of your home or a separate oasis that compliments the home style.

Desired activities. You are probably constructing more than a pool for swimming. You may wish to entertain on the patio area surrounding the pool, desire an oasis where you can relax after a hard day’s work, or perhaps just a place for family fun. Yet, the design needs to take all of these activities into consideration.

Keep it simple. There are so many amenities that can be added to both the pool and the landscaping. But a too busy design in either area can take away from the overall appearance. The best pool areas are simple and elegant in design and structured to grow with the family.

It’s in the details. It’s the little things that will make the difference. The type of material used for the pool deck, steps vs. ladders for large pools, the type of drain covers and other hardware, and the type of deck furniture used can all make a difference between a pool that looks plain or one that is elegant.

Unless you want the neighbors and anyone else passing your property to see what is happening in your pool area, you need to consider how to achieve privacy. There are two methods that can be used alone or combined – landscaping and privacy fence. Combining them will give a more luxurious feel if you bring in a landscape artist to help. It is much more attractive than the plain old wooden privacy fence.

]]>How Commercial Pool Maintenance is Like a Science Experimenthttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/commercial-pool-maintenance-like-science-experiment/
Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:00:19 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4829There are several elements to a science experiment. These are[i]: Define a question to test. Gather information and resources (observe) Form a hypothesis. Test the hypothesis. Interpret the data found and draw conclusions. Publish results. Retest. Commercial swimming pool maintenance takes a lot more skill and experience […]

Commercial swimming pool maintenance takes a lot more skill and experience than for residential pools. Pool maintenance technicians almost need chemical degrees to do their job effectively.

Why is commercial pool maintenance so important?

A survey[ii] of aquatic health officials across the country by the National Association of County and City Health Officials was completed in 2014. It showed why commercial pool maintenance is so very important. For pools being shut down over the previous two-year period, the health inspectors surveyed:

90% reported shutdowns were due for low sanitizing levels,

61% reported the pH being out of balance,

53% reported it was due to cloudiness of the water,

36% reported that hotels and motels have the most water quality violations,

32% reported they always find violations in apartment complexes, and

54% reported finding violations in apartment complexes every two out of three inspections.

If a commercial pool is shut down, it could be costly to the owner. Whether it is a pool people go to or one at a rental facility (i.e. a motel), people expect the pool to be open and safe for swimming.

Science and Pool Maintenance

Water chemistry is an essential part of ensuring commercial pools remain open and safe for use. Because of the increase in pool size and number of swimmers, water chemistry is even more difficult to monitor.

Let’s again look at the scientific method, but this time using one segment of pool maintenance.

Define a question to test. How does the water quality look?

It is cloudy but should be clear.

Form a hypothesis. The water quality is poor and several factors could be the cause. The technician believes the cloudy water is caused by low sanitizer levels.

Test the hypothesis. The technician tests the sanitizer level and finds the chlorine is below 1 ppm.

Interpret the data found and draw conclusions. The chlorine level should be between 1 and 3 ppm, preferably at the 3 ppm level. Yesterday was a weekend and the pool had lots of children swimming. Peeing in the pool is a major problem with public pools. More chlorine needs to be added.

Publish results. In the case of the pool technician, he or she would add more chlorine to bring the level up to 3 ppm.

For commercial pools, this is a daily routine.

Just like a scientist knows the right questions to ask, so must a commercial pool maintenance technician. Chemistry knowledge and experience is important in both fields.

Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast, with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian.

Elizabeth Varian : Hey, everybody. It’s Elizabeth Varian here, Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches podcast. I have Holly on the other line. How are you doing, Holly?

Holly Colasurdo : Hello. Good.

Elizabeth Varian : Still on vacation up north, right?

Holly Colasurdo : Oh, yes, but kind of getting anxious to get back home and get back in the swing of things.

Elizabeth Varian: Yes.

Holly Colasurdo: Creature of habit.

Elizabeth Varian: Vacations are great, but they do have to come to an end so we can get back to life.

Holly Colasurdo: They have their time limits. Yes, yes.

Elizabeth Varian: We just want to jump right in today and get our podcast started, because this is a topic I think everybody really, really needs to pay attention to.

Holly Colasurdo: Right.

Elizabeth Varian: Anyone with a pool. What we’re talking about is leak detection, and how do I know if my pool is leaking.

Holly Colasurdo: Right.

Elizabeth Varian: The blatantly obvious question is how do we know if we have a leak or not?

Holly Colasurdo: Oh, my gosh. It can be scary. You see your pool every day, just like your pool service technician does, and if you’re going out there in the mornings and you’re thinking, “You know what? This doesn’t look right. My water level seems to have dropped pretty quickly.” There is a water line there where everybody gets used to where their water is. You can tell, and sometimes when it gets a little dirty, that’s where the dirt hangs around, your normal water line. But if it falls below that or seems to look like a little more than normal, there might be a question that you have a leak in your pool.

Don’t get me wrong. The pool naturally loses some water to evaporation and time, especially in the really, really hot summer months, so don’t freak out. When it’s too much, that’s when you have an issue. Also, is your water bill a little higher, because you’re probably adding a little more water, thinking you need to do that on your own. Sometimes algae can grow because of the increase in added chemicals that your pool tech is having to add or you’re adding on your own. Those are all, all major signs of a pool leak. Some are more serious than others. The first thing I always tell people is they can do a bucket test. They simply can do a-

Elizabeth Varian: A bucket test?

Holly Colasurdo: A bucket test. That’s when you put a bucket in the water on the first step of the pool. Those are simple things that you can do, but it’s an accurate test to see if your pool is really leaking.

Elizabeth Varian: What are you looking for when you put the bucket in? Is the bucket full of water? Is it to weighing it down?

Holly Colasurdo: You can fill a five-gallon bucket water until it’s two-thirds from the top. You set that bucket on the first or second step of the pool. Make sure it’s stable. Make sure it’s in the pool at least six inches or more. You can use a permanent marker. Mark the water level inside the bucket. Shut off the pool pump and turn off auto-fill. Then you can use a dark permanent marker and mark the pool water level on the outside of the bucket as well. Don’t swim or use the pool for just the next 24 hours. After that, if the pool water outside of the bucket, the outside of the mark that you made, goes down more than the bucket’s inside water level, there is a leak.

Elizabeth Varian: Okay, I see. You’re using the outside of the bucket to mark where the water level is when you put it in the water, and then you wait 24 hours. You put it in, and you compare it to the mark from the day before to see if it’s gone down dramatically or not. If it has, that’s probably the time to call your pool guy.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. A quarter inch is normal. That’s just evaporation. Anything more than that … Again, know your pool.

Elizabeth Varian: That’s great. That really helps give you an idea. You’re not questioning and wondering and keeping yourself awake at night thinking, “Oh. Leak detection. How can I get someone out here quickly?” You can at least do something for peace of mind. If they find that they’ve had a dramatic drop, how do they figure out where is the leak, because there’s possibly multiple locations, right?

Holly Colasurdo: Right. There can be many locations. A lot of places that you want to look for … Again, you know your pool, especially if it’s older, then you’ve got more of a chance of … If you’re seeing little puddles of water around the pool or in the yard, it’s going to be more than likely an underground plumbing leak. You can have structural damage, cracks that settle into the … When the pool settles or the deck settles, it can cause underground leaks. If they’re left unrepaired, they can just quickly become so serious.

Look around your pool equipment. That’s the first place I would go. Your filter, your pump, your heater. If it looks like there’s water that’s leaking around any of those guys, that’s a place to look as well. You have to look inside the pool. You’ve got to dive in with your mask. You can use dyes and squirt on little cracks, and if they move, that’s kind of a leak, but those are all things that are just … I think it’s a little overwhelming to the average consumer to do that themselves. Again, if it’s obvious-

Elizabeth Varian: Which leads to our next question is can I fix it myself?

Holly Colasurdo: Sometimes you can, if it’s near the suction areas, and you can use an epoxy. You have to go to the pool store and ask them those questions. You just don’t want to take a chance, because like I said, some are easy to find and fix yourself, but if you have a qualified and experienced pool leak professional, that is the best, because leaks can really cause a lot of damage and cost a lot of money in repairs. Some are smaller, like I said, than others, and some are not, and pool professionals can usually find them within an hour or two.

Elizabeth Varian: Oh, nice.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. You just don’t want to take a chance.

Elizabeth Varian: When they come out and they detect it, obviously there’s various, so you can’t give us pricing, because there’s so many fixes. Are we looking at you have to fix this right away because it’s an enormous undertaking? Could cause ground problems or anything like that, or is it something that’s going to be so overtly expensive, we need to save up for it?

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. They’ll let you know. It’s not inexpensive to have them come out, but it’s so well worth it, because even if it’s something they can repair on the spot, there’s no added charge. That’s included in the charge of just them coming out. But they can temporarily fix it, and that’s fine. It’s not going to be a forever fix. They can just patch it, but they’ll let you know that. If it’s something that’s major, they’ll still definitely let you know that as well, and they’ll let you know that it’s major. This is what it’s going to cost. It’s always going to be up to the client. They’re not going to do any work without their authorization, but it’s just always best to have it done correctly than not, because pools, they’ve got a mind of their own.

Elizabeth Varian: Yes, yes, and they don’t always tell you what they’re thinking or doing.

Holly Colasurdo: No. But you’re in your pool more than anyone, and you know your pool better than anyone, just like you know your children better than anyone. You see them every day. You’re with them every day. Your pool tech’s there every week or twice a week, and they can tell you things as well. In the office when they come in and the tech says, “Mrs. Smith’s pool is leaking. I know, because I’ve had to add so many more chemicals over the last month, and it’s getting expensive for this client. We’re charging them for adding more chemicals.” Sometimes clients think that that’s just maybe because it’s rained, and sometimes that can happen, too, in the rainy months.

Our techs know because they’re there every day, and if they have to keep adding more than normal, they’ll call the office and say, “Call Mrs. Smith. We think she probably has a leak.” They’re our first indication. They’re our first eyes. Or if they think there’s a lot of algae in the pool, maybe the client calls and says, “The pool tech’s not cleaning the pool very well,” and we’re just like, “Well, let’s do a little investigating, because our pool techs do a great job. Are you getting excess algae? Does the water level look lower than normal? Are you adding water without telling us?” Sometimes we’ll see a hose in the pool and-

Elizabeth Varian: Mess the balance up.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah, and we’ll know that they’re adding chemicals. Well, if we add chemicals on cleaning day, on Monday, and they come in on a weekend, and the water’s low, and they add chemicals, well, we’re not back out that weekend. We’re back out your next cleaning day the next week, and it’s thrown off the whole balance of chemicals, which really throws everything off. Again, they see algae and think, “Oh, Geez. They’re not doing their job.” Well, it’s a leak, more than likely. 99.9%, it’s always a leak, whether big or small. I can tell you that a hole just the size of a pencil tip can result in hundreds of gallons of water loss per day. Don’t think that it’s just … Oh, well, that’s just tiny. It’s important. The tinier, the more important.

Elizabeth Varian: Keep that water in the pool. And it gets costly. If you’re adding water all the time, your water bill is going to definitely skyrocket …

Holly Colasurdo: It’s a major sign.

Elizabeth Varian: .. so it is definitely better to get it done.

Holly Colasurdo: A lot of fact-finding.

Elizabeth Varian: Well, do you have anything else you’d like to share about the leak detection topic?

Holly Colasurdo: The leak detection, the bucket test. If you really want to go and look at a video on how to do the bucket test … Because I know it’s a lot of words and a lot of put your marker here and there and put your water in the bucket … you can go to Americanleakdetection.com and look it up there. Or just google bucket test, and it will tell you exactly how to do it.

Elizabeth Varian: Definitely if you can, get a professional out there so that they can find out where the leak is once you discover if you have one or not.

Holly Colasurdo: Right, right.

Elizabeth Varian: If you’re obviously with Pool Doctor, as you mentioned, they’re out there weekly looking. They’re going to possibly give you a heads up, “Hey, we’re noticing something.” Definitely don’t put it off. Pay attention. If your tech says, “We’re noticing a great change,” it’s not like you’re going to do that just to gouge them and get more money.

Holly Colasurdo: No, no.

Elizabeth Varian: You’re actually letting them know so they can get this fixed and not have any issues whatsoever. Now, if you are-

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. It’s ultimately their decision, but we definitely want to try to educate our customers as much as we can on the responsibilities of being a pool owner. It’s not just all fun and games. It’s serious stuff when it comes to leaks or mishaps with the pool. It’s important to always listen to your pool professional, especially a company that’s been doing it. It’s what they do all the time. That’s what they live, eat, and breathe.

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah, and especially if they’re out there.

Holly Colasurdo: When they tell you something is wrong, they know.

Elizabeth Varian: Wonderful. Well, this was very informative. I’m thinking I’m going to get a bucket and go out and test things.

Holly Colasurdo: A bucket. Is your pool leaking?

Elizabeth Varian: If you do think you have a leak and you’re in the South Florida area in the Palm Beach County and Martin County area out to Wellington, give Pool Doctor of Palm Beaches a call. Their number is (561) 203-0270. Holly, even though you are on vacation, you’re a trooper. You were wonderful and very informative, as always. Thank you so much for calling in …

Holly Colasurdo: You’re welcome.

Elizabeth Varian: … and sharing this information.

Holly Colasurdo: You’re welcome.

Elizabeth Varian: If you’re listening, give the Pool Doctors of Palm Beaches a call or check them out online at poolspalmbeaches … E-S … dot com, and we will talk to you next time. Bye.

Holly Colasurdo: Thank you. Bye.

Thank you for listening to our monthly podcast. Be sure to contact Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches for your South Florida pool needs.

]]>Podcast Transcript How do you know your pool is leaking? This podcast will tell you how. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast, with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian : Hey, everybody.Podcast Transcript How do you know your pool is leaking? This podcast will tell you how. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches online podcast, with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian : Hey, everybody. It’s Elizabeth Varian here, Pool Doctor […]Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches11:485 Strategies to Survive Your New Pool Constructionhttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/5-strategies-survive-new-pool-construction/
Wed, 02 Aug 2017 10:00:15 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4813Like any other home renovation, you cannot appreciate all the complexities and things that will drive you crazy during a new pool construction unless you have gone through one yourself! A new pool construction is no different than living through a home renovation. So, let’s look at […]

Like any other home renovation, you cannot appreciate all the complexities and things that will drive you crazy during a new pool construction unless you have gone through one yourself!

A new pool construction is no different than living through a home renovation. So, let’s look at five strategies to help you come through it with your sanity intact:

Plan Ahead

You should have an idea of what you want. Otherwise, as the pool is being constructed, you may come up with other ideas you would like added. This adds unplanned expenditures and missed deadlines than if the changes had been built into the original design. Some ideas also may not be possible, because they do not fit into the pool design you agreed upon. So take a little time and do some research on the Internet.

Specifically, look at the following:

What is the purpose of the pool and its surrounding area? How will it be used? Do children still need a playground area? Do you wish to entertain or have an outdoor kitchen and dining area?

Do you have a specific pool design in mind? Round, rectangle, connecting spa, sitting area inside the pool?

Where and how will the pool be located? Will it take up the entire yard or only part of it? Will it be indoor or outdoor?

Are there special features you desire? Do you want steps into the pool or use a ladder? A permanent slide or diving board for the children? Waterfalls and fountains? Look like an oasis to relax, or mainly a place for children to play – or both? Tile design or color preferences? Preferences in decking materials?

These are all questions you should ask yourself before you even begin looking for a builder. You are not looking for a set design at this point, just ideas. The pool designer will look at the area for construction and advise you on what will work best, using your ideas.

Hire the Right Builder

Of all these five strategies, this is the most important one. If you do not hire the right pool construction company, you could regret ever having the pool built in the first place. Here are some important steps to take before you hire:

Find and make a list of local companies – they know the local laws, area geology, and are available to you in the future.

Check for references and online reviews – consumeraffairs.com and bbb.org are good web sites to check.

Meet with potential builders – ask to see their license. Check the expiration date. Make sure it is a Florida contractors’ license (see photos[i] below). What type and how much experience have they had with your type of project? Ask questions and do not settle for vague, sales-y answers.

The Actual Design

After meeting with you and getting your ideas of what you desire in a new pool design, the pool designer will look at your property to determine what can and cannot be done. The person should then sit down with you again to firm up the best design for you between your desires and what is possible with your property and budget.

The pool designer will resolve any foreseen engineering issues that may arise and then create the best design for you. When the design is presented to you, ask any question that comes to mind. Ask to take a copy home to study before committing. Try to view it at your property. Study it several different times over at least a week’s time to discover if you have any new questions to ask. Write them down to ask at your next meeting with the designer. Do not commit until you are 100 percent sure your answers have all been answered and you are happy with the design.

Discuss the Process

Discuss every aspect of the construction process with the builder. Who will manage the project and will they be onsite each day? What are the exact steps that will be taken and how long does each take? How will missed deadlines be handled? What is the procedure if you encounter a problem with any of the workers or the project manager? What can go wrong on a project like this and how were they handled on past projects, especially permitting issues?

Ask as many questions as needed, until you understand the complete process. The more you know, the less frustrations you will experience during construction. Though you still will encounter issues, they should not irritate as much when prepared.

Discuss the Impact of Construction on You and Your Family

This step is crucial and one most people forget to discuss. Take step four and look at each step of the process with the builder. Your questions should include:

What type of equipment is involved, and how will they get into the construction location? What impact does that create for the other areas of the property not under construction? Will the builder fix any damage to those areas caused by the heavy equipment? At your cost or their cost?

What will be the noise levels? And during what hours? You may need to forewarn neighbors.

How will construction impede you and your family’s life? Plumbing and electrical work will be involved. Would you be better off renting another place temporarily until construction is complete or even during a phase of construction?

If you follow these five strategies, you should end up with a pool and surrounding area that you and your family will love and enjoy for years to come.

Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches is Florida licensed, local and skilled in new pool construction with almost 30 years of experience.

Call the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches today

to discuss your new pool construction needs!

561-203-0270

[i] Graphics from the Florida Swimming Pool Association at http://www.floridapoolpro.com/find-a-florida-pool-pro/choosing-a-contractor.

This podcast is about the differences between building a Concrete and a Fiberglass pool.

Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches podcast with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian.

Elizabeth Varian: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches Podcast. I have Holly on the other line. Say hey, Holly.

Holly Colasurdo: Good morning. Hello, everybody. Nice to be back.

Elizabeth Varian: Now, Holly is actually calling us while she is on vacation fixing up here house in, where is it, Rhode Island?

Holly Colasurdo: Rhode Island. Beautiful Rhode Island.

Elizabeth Varian: We can get this podcast done. No matter where she is, we will hunt her down. It’s the perfect time for this podcast too that we’re covering the topic today. We want to talk about new pool builds, which we’ve seen a rise on, especially here in south Florida. A lot more people are checking us out and buying and building new pools in their backyards in the residential area. Our last time we talked about concrete and we mentioned fiberglass and that got me to thinking I really don’t know the differences between the two and thought well maybe the visitors in our audience would like to know. Why don’t we just dive right in and discuss the differences between concrete pools and fiberglass pools? The number one question that comes to my mind is what is the cost difference?

Holly Colasurdo: Okay. Yeah. Just start out, each has devoted fans, fiberglass or concrete. No one can really claim that one is better than the other, but there are some things that come down, some variables that come down to the bottom line and cost is the big one. They’re like what is the cost? Should it be cheaper? Should it be more expensive? You know what, believe it or not, it’s about the same.

Elizabeth Varian: Really?

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. It’s whatever difference there is usually isn’t very significant in the scheme of things. Fiberglass is a nonporous surface, which is more algae resistant and it’ll save you money on chemicals over the life of the pool.

Elizabeth Varian: Good.

Holly Colasurdo: That makes sense. It’s prebuilt fiberglass shell, but things can get more expensive. You want to add a waterfall. You want to this and that. Of course, there’s more money involved, especially with a concrete pool. In the long run, I think that’s a biggie too because especially in Florida with all the rain and humidity we get, we do tend to get algae and it’s hard to keep up with when you have a concrete pool.

Elizabeth Varian: The maintenance is where you’re going to see the cost difference in whether there’s algae or not. That’s interesting. Actually, I never knew that. I had always assumed that fiberglass because it was one shell was the more inexpensive of the two to install. Then of course, the water features, the sky’s the limit on what you can add to any pool. That’s interesting. They’re about the same for the install, but over time it sounds like it balances out. Let’s talk about time because of the install. What is the difference there between a concrete and fiberglass to actually build it out or install the pool?

Holly Colasurdo: Right. This is what I like, especially if you don’t have a pool and you want one quickly. That’s the largest difference between a concrete pool and a fiberglass pool. Fiberglass pools are very quick and easy to install. You basically drop the pool in a hole and you connect the plumbing. That’s it.

Elizabeth Varian: Probably, a little bit more to it in the hole digging and the equipment to drop it.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. I know. That’s the timeframe. Gunite work is done on site. Fiberglass is a matter of days because you order it from the factory and they deliver it right to your home and you have your pool company, the hole’s already done and your piping is positioned, and you just drop the fiberglass pool in. Fiberglass can take typically a matter of days, where a concrete pool typically takes weeks or even months.

Elizabeth Varian: Okay. Because they’re building out one layer at a time with the concrete.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah and you got to put the screen in the pool and the metal, the framing, you have to dry, you want to a certain shape. You order your shape, the fiberglass shape, and they come in so many different shapes and sizes, the fiberglass. They’ve really come a long way, which is neat.

Elizabeth Varian: We’re talking about because if it’s just dig a hole, drop in for the fiberglass, the concrete, which is what I think we’re used to seeing, they build it out and they build the shape right there. We’re used to seeing the metal frameworks and we’ve done the video timeframe over time of watching a build. How does the looks, how are they different in appearance? Is my guest going to come and go that’s fiberglass and see that it doesn’t look the same sharpness as the concrete?

Holly Colasurdo: You won’t know until you step inside. Typically, when you step into a fiberglass pool, it’s going to be a little more slippery …

Elizabeth Varian: Okay. That’s good to know …

Holly Colasurdo: … In the concrete pool, it’s a little more rough or if you get the pebble check, it’s a little smoother, you know the crushed down.

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. As far as appearance, concrete, well you can be a little more creative. You can make any shape you like with the concrete. You’d have to have drawings. You have to have the engineer, but you can do anything. You can do … I’ve seen concrete pools in the shape of guitars …

Elizabeth Varian: Nice …

Holly Colasurdo: … I’m sure they don’t make fiberglass pools in the shape of guitars, but fiberglass, again, is built in a factory shipped intact to your home. They do, they come in many different forms, but you won’t be able to tell when you pull up unless you see rock formations, figure eights …

Elizabeth Varian: A unique shape …

Holly Colasurdo: … Typically, you’re not really not going to know until you step in it.

Elizabeth Varian: Now, are we putting decking and tiling around the fiberglass like we would a concrete?

Holly Colasurdo: Yes and that’s what’s neat …

Elizabeth Varian: Then, they will have a nice elegant appearance and I can still have a very nice, it doesn’t look cookie cutter necessarily.

Holly Colasurdo: No, not at all. It comes with a little lip, which sits on top of the ground and then you can take your tile and put it right on the edge and you …

Elizabeth Varian: Wonderful …

Holly Colasurdo: … It’s like you’re swimming in a gunite pool. You just won’t know, like I said, until you step in and touch it.

Elizabeth Varian: What is the durability difference between the two? I’m going to think concrete is definitely more, is harder. You’re saying one is smoother than the other.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Yeah. The gunite, the concrete’s definitely more porous. Over time, I think both can last for decades, but gunite at some point might need a major renovation, a major resurfacing. It’s aged, it’s chipping away, it’s stained, but again that’s over the long haul. Fiberglass is …

Elizabeth Varian: Probably a decade. Yeah.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. Right. Fiberglass is practically impervious to normal wear and tear. If the Earth shifts, fiberglass can crack, especially if you drain the pool. Most fiberglass shells include a long term or perhaps even a lifetime warranty. The Earth shifts, yeah a little bit, we’re not in California where there’s major …

Elizabeth Varian: I was going to say I’m glad we don’t live in California.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah. No. Florida is perfect a fiberglass pool. I think they’re fun. They’re just fun because they can come in a lot of different colors. It’s just an easier purchase.

Elizabeth Varian: Well, and that warranty helps you feel comfortable and if it’s got that durability just like a concrete, then to me I’m saying well they both sound great, both options. If I’m a customer looking to build, how to choose which one I want versus what’s best for me?

Holly Colasurdo: Again, I think it comes down to if you really want to be creative with waterfalls and when you step, you’ve got the little swim outs. You definitely can’t do that with a fiberglass. You can do that just with concrete, but more people, I think, just you dig the hole, you put the fiberglass in. That’s about it. You just want some water to float in. You just want to get in that pool …

Elizabeth Varian: You’re just looking for a regular pool …

Holly Colasurdo: … If you want to get in quickly, fiberglass is the way to go.

Elizabeth Varian: If I have a party, a pool party, I want to throw in a month, I can go fiberglass sooner versus concrete. Pool builders, you were telling me before we started this podcast something that I wasn’t aware of, even though I worked with you guys. I didn’t know that not every pool builder does both.

Holly Colasurdo: Correct. They’re either one of the other. The verdict is there’s no really no consensus winner. Concrete’s been around for eons. Fiberglass seems to be gaining every year. They’re really coming out and making an appearance and they’re a lot better built than they used to be. Regardless of which you choose, you definitely want to find a pool builder with experience installing that type of pool. You said most specialize in one or the other. I know Pool Doctor, we do both. We talked about budget. You have a budget. You have to figure out what your budget is and your timeframe. Those are two biggies.

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah and how creative you want to be. I guess anybody listening, if you’re looking to get a pool built. Now, I know you guys have brought on fiberglass because of a partnership that you have with someone who has been doing fiberglass for years.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Yes.

Elizabeth Varian: It’s not like you guys said let’s start doing fiberglass and now you’re experts.

Holly Colasurdo: No.

Elizabeth Varian: You actually brought in people who have been doing fiberglass for years, so you’re bringing decades of experience for both concrete and fiberglass, which definitely gives you a step above your competition for anyone coming in and you can help them weigh out. You have so many opportunities now in how fast do you want it where summertime now, it’s hot. We may want it faster now than maybe in the wintertime when our winters are just mildly warm.

Holly Colasurdo: Right. Yes. Geez. Yeah.

Elizabeth Varian: We have it so rough down here, so well I thank you so much for taking a moment out of your time out of the office to call in and get this podcast going so that people know if they start building that they have more options than they’ve ever had before between fiberglass and concrete. It’s wonderful to know that Pool Doctor is now offering both options so that you can cater to all residents …

Holly Colasurdo: Everybody.

Elizabeth Varian: Yeah.

Holly Colasurdo: Nobody left behind. Nobody left behind.

Elizabeth Varian: No pool want to be owner left behind. Forget those children. We’re talking about the pool building residents.

Holly Colasurdo: Yeah.

Elizabeth Varian: Thank you so much and if you’re listening, give Pool Doctor a call, Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches. You can find them at poolspalmbeaches.com. Holly, we will be talking to you again. Enjoy Rhode Island and everybody else …

Holly Colasurdo: Yes. Happy summer. Happy summer, everybody.

Elizabeth Varian: Have a wonderful summer. Have a great one. Bye.

Holly Colasurdo: Thanks. Bye.

Thank you for listening to our monthly podcast. Be sure to contact Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches for your South Florida pool needs.

]]>Podcast Transcript This podcast is about the differences between building a Concrete and a Fiberglass pool. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches podcast with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian: Hey, everybody.Podcast Transcript This podcast is about the differences between building a Concrete and a Fiberglass pool. Welcome to the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches podcast with your hosts Holly Colasurdo and Elizabeth Varian. Elizabeth Varian: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches Podcast. […]Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches11:12Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches Offers Pool Automation Optionshttp://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/pool-automation-options/
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:00:56 +0000http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/?p=4796Today, there are so many elements of your swimming pool that you can control with automation. Pool automation just makes your life and caring for your pool so much easier. It definitely should be considered when doing a pool remodeling but also can be added as an […]

Today, there are so many elements of your swimming pool that you can control with automation. Pool automation just makes your life and caring for your pool so much easier. It definitely should be considered when doing a pool remodeling but also can be added as an upgrade.

What Can Be Automated

You can set the time of day to activate various pool equipment, such as:

Pumps and filters,

Cleaners,

Automated water chemistry,

Water levels, especially nice to have with children playing and splashing water out of the pool,

Solar heating systems,

UV systems,

Pool lighting, and

Water features.

You can determine how long to run equipment, as well as how many times each day.

Advantages of Pool Automation

Pool automation allows you to take advantage of the non-peak hours of electrical use in your area. Some things can be activated while you sleep.

Pool automation ensures that things get done. When you do them manually, you can get busy and forget, causing problems later. Automation ensures everything is running more effectively and efficiently.

With today’s technology, you can monitor your pool automation from any location, using your smartphone or your computer. For instance, you can get real time temperature readings of your pool water, knowing the perfect time for the kids to go swimming – no more having to go out and dip your toe in the water or use a temperature gauge. It is so easy.

With complete pool automation, you have total control over your pool and its equipment – and it is all done for you.

The biggest advantage is that it will save your time – enjoying your pool instead of working on it and freeing up your time for other things.

How to Decide

There are different levels of automation to consider. Mostly it depends on what you do not wish to bother with and what your budget allows.

There are many different automation systems. Costs will depend on what you currently have. If you want the pool cleaned automatically but currently do it manually, for example, the cost will include a new robotic cleaner with a programmable timer that allows you to create customized cleaning cycles. The upfront cost pays for itself many times over in the time you save doing it yourself.

Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches can professionally install all your pool automation needs, especially during a pool remodel. Contact us to discuss how you would like to save your time. We can assess what you currently have and how best to automate those pool equipment and features.